Mayor Bloomberg has caught the attention of many by saying he is going to ban soda in hopes of decreasing the obesity problem in New York. This proposal might have a great amount of positive or negative impacts, as well as not having an impact at all. Banning soda might be a thoughtless consideration. Instead of making our nation healthier, people would just buy more or get more refills on these insanely sugary drinks. However, it could be a start to change.
Banning soda could have a tremendous affect on our nation in a very absolute way. According to Lawrence O. Gostin, "When portion sizes are smaller, individuals eat less but feel full." (pg. 2) it's plain to see that portion sizes are a simple way to change the weight of our nation. These drinks are empty calories and people shouldn't be drinking vast amounts of them in one sitting anyhow. Soda is extremely unhealthy and provides a total of zero nutritional benefits. However, soda can clean your toilet, eliminate rust from a bumper, clean a penny, and even remove grease from clothing, which is very reassuring. If people are not capable enough to make healthy decisions for them self, maybe the government should take part in people's eating habits.
In the opposing argument it questions this topic in the article, Banning Large Sodas is legal and smart, "Doesn't the epidemic of obesity count as an imminent threat, with it's devastating impact on health, quality of life and morality?" No matter what the ban does, we live in a society where we are free to buy, drink, eat, do whatever we want when we want. There is no way to monitor what each individual does at every hour of the day. We live in a free society and there is simply no way of keeping us free, yet limiting our rights. Therefore, we all have a choice if whether or not we want to take part in this. It is a decision that each person has to make to be healthy. If this ban were to be passed, they would just have to pass more. For example, if this ban was passed and they have a portion size limit, people can just buy more or get more refills. In other words we would be taking one step forward to changing the issue of obesity and one step back, leaving us where we started. Also, there is no way of knowing if soda is actually the sourcing of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. for all we know it could be many issues all piled up.
I think there should be a ban on soda because it could make decrease a lot of people's health problems. If people won't make the decision to be healthy on their own, then there should be a control on portion size. If the United States becomes healthier we wouldn't have to spend more money on health care because hopefully not as many people would have more health problems. However, I think if they were to pass this law, they should pass others too, because just the portion control on soda itself won't make a change. There is a possibility this bill may not have an impact at all, but it could be a starting point for change.
Bloomberg's ban on soda is just a "what if" until it actually happens. This ban could outrage a huge amount of people, or it could be a start to a healthier environment. It's impossible to know exactly what would happen, but I think it should be passed. People in America shouldn't need to drink 32 ounces, and the portion control would just be a push to our nation becoming healthier.
Mayor Bloomberg has caught the attention of many by saying he is going to ban soda in hopes of decreasing the obesity problem in New York. This proposal might have a great amount of positive or negative impacts, as well as not having an impact at all. Banning soda might be a thoughtless consideration. Instead of making our nation healthier, people would just buy more or get more refills on these insanely sugary drinks. However, it could be a start to change.
Banning soda could have a tremendous affect on our nation in a very absolute way. According to Lawrence O. Gostin, "When portion sizes are smaller, individuals eat less but feel full." (pg. 2) it's plain to see that portion sizes are a simple way to change the weight of our nation. These drinks are empty calories and people shouldn't be drinking vast amounts of them in one sitting anyhow. Soda is extremely unhealthy and provides a total of zero nutritional benefits. However, soda can clean your toilet, eliminate rust from a bumper, clean a penny, and even remove grease from clothing, which is very reassuring. If people are not capable enough to make healthy decisions for them self, maybe the government should take part in people's eating habits.
In the opposing argument it questions this topic in the article, Banning Large Sodas is legal and smart, "Doesn't the epidemic of obesity count as an imminent threat, with it's devastating impact on health, quality of life and morality?" No matter what the ban does, we live in a society where we are free to buy, drink, eat, do whatever we want when we want. There is no way to monitor what each individual does at every hour of the day. We live in a free society and there is simply no way of keeping us free, yet limiting our rights. Therefore, we all have a choice if whether or not we want to take part in this. It is a decision that each person has to make to be healthy. If this ban were to be passed, they would just have to pass more. For example, if this ban was passed and they have a portion size limit, people can just buy more or get more refills. In other words we would be taking one step forward to changing the issue of obesity and one step back, leaving us where we started. Also, there is no way of knowing if soda is actually the sourcing of the obesity epidemic in the U.S. for all we know it could be many issues all piled up.
I think there should be a ban on soda because it could make decrease a lot of people's health problems. If people won't make the decision to be healthy on their own, then there should be a control on portion size. If the United States becomes healthier we wouldn't have to spend more money on health care because hopefully not as many people would have more health problems. However, I think if they were to pass this law, they should pass others too, because just the portion control on soda itself won't make a change. There is a possibility this bill may not have an impact at all, but it could be a starting point for change.
Bloomberg's ban on soda is just a "what if" until it actually happens. This ban could outrage a huge amount of people, or it could be a start to a healthier environment. It's impossible to know exactly what would happen, but I think it should be passed. People in America shouldn't need to drink 32 ounces, and the portion control would just be a push to our nation becoming healthier.